New Delhi: A total of 18 lakh Indian Muslims performed Umrah in 2023 — the third highest in the world, Saudi Arabia government officials said on Wednesday.
The officials said they anticipate a yearly increment in the number, according to an official statement issued by the country.
Umrah is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that can be undertaken any time of the year.
Indian Muslim Umrah performers ranked third highest among countries, reaching 18 lakh visitors, the officials said.
They did not mention the names of the top two countries accounting for the highest Umrah performers.
Highlighting the significance of India in the Umrah sector, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Dr Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah, made the first-ever visit to India in early December.
The minister participated in an introduction meeting organised by the unified government platform ‘Nusuk’ from December 4 to 6.
The event showcased the platform’s unique services and facilities to Muslim guests worldwide, with a special focus on those from India. Dr Al-Rabiah addressed concerns, proposed initial solutions, and set the stage for collaboration.
Nusuk has been launched by Saudi Arabia to streamline the process of obtaining electronic visas and automating access procedures for Umrah and visits to the Prophet’s Mosque.
The platform engages in extensive partnerships through regional and international roadshows.
A representative from an Indian Travel and Tourism Agency emphasised that Nusuk will significantly contribute to facilitating Umrah for Indian visitors, elevating service standards.
Hasan Al-Dabbagh, President of APAC Markets at the Saudi Tourism Authority, highlighted the platform’s role in developing an integrated ecosystem for the Umrah sector.
This allows the private sector in Saudi Arabia and globally, particularly in India, to serve the guests of the Rahman, benefiting from the platform’s services, he said.
Since its launch, Nusuk has empowered the private sector by sharing data, providing training courses, and strategically connecting service providers with visitors.
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India records six Covid-19 deaths
New Delhi, Dec 28: India recorded 692 fresh cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours. The total active caseload increased by four, reaching 4,097, according to Union Health Ministry data.
As per official data, six deaths have been reported in the country in the last 24 hours – two in Maharashtra, and one each in Delhi, Karnataka, Kerala, and West Bengal.
With this, the total count of coronavirus cases in India since its outbreak in January 2020 has reached 4,50,10,944, with an increase of 702 cases in the last 24 hours.
The total death toll due to COVID-19 cases in India has risen to 5,33,346, reflecting an increase of six deaths in the last 24 hours. On Wednesday, Delhi reported its first case of the COVID-19 sub-variant JN.1.
“Delhi reports the first case of JN.1, a Sub-Variant of Omicron. Out of the three samples sent for Genome Sequencing, one is JN.1, and two are Omicron,” Delhi Health Minister Saurabh Bharadwaj said.
Notably, the JN.1 sub-variant is a descendant of the Omicron subvariant known as BA.2.86 or Pirola. The first case of the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 was reported in Kerala.
A total of 109 cases of the JN.1 sub-variant have been detected in India until Wednesday, as per Health Ministry sources. However, the World Health Organisation emphasized that the overall risk posed by JN.1 remains low based on current evidence.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi has issued guidelines for COVID-19 suspected or positive cases that will be reported at hospitals following the sudden surge in the cases of Coronavirus in the country.
AIIMS Delhi director held a meeting with all heads of departments of the hospital on COVID-19 contingency measures on Wednesday. In the meeting, policies on COVID-19 testing, the areas to be designated for positive patients, and their hospitalization were discussed.–(ANI)
